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He is known as Bollywood’s ‘Yamla, Pagla, Deewana’, but for long he was also seen as the macho hero of silver screen….Sugandha Rawal interviews Veteran actor Dharmendra

Actor Dharmendra celebrates his 81st birthday at his residence, in Mumbai (Photo: IANS)

Veteran actor Dharmendra says he feels he completed over five decades in showbiz in moments, and now wonders how it went by so soon.

“‘Ek lamba safar lamhun mein guzar gaya’…If we see it has been a long journey and it went by in moments. I now think why it went by so soon. I miss my colleagues, the atmosphere. I miss so many things. It was a beautiful journey,” Dharmendra said.

Dharmendra, who traces his roots to Punjab, entered showbiz in 1960 with “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere” going on to create an image of Bollywood’s He-Man, after Dara Singh.

The senior actor, who will soon complete 60 years in the industry, has entertained audiences with movies of all genres — from the intense “Bandini” and “Satyakam” to potboilers like “Raja Jani” and “Pratigya”, and as a comic artist with perfect timing in “Sholay” and “Chupke Chupke”.

He proved his skills as an actor with “Anupama” and “Yakeen”. In recent times, he was seen in “Life In A… Metro”, “Apne” and “Yamla, Pagla, Deewana”.

Dharmendra is known for his simplicity, humbleness and staying connected to his roots. The actor says he doesn’t believe in being a “superstar but a super-human being”.

He has infused these qualities in his sons — Sunny and Bobby — and says that they are taking it forward by teaching the same to the next generation.

Bollywood star Dharmendra celebrates birthday

“Fame and glamour don’t remain. Being humble and grounded is what will remain (with you). People will say nice things about you. It is not a thought-out action and comes automatically. It came to me from my parents, from me it has gone to Sunny and Bobby,” he says.

“Stressing on your achievements or other things hold no meaning.”

Dharmendra has worked with his wife and Bollywood’s “Dream Girl” Hema Malini in films like “Seeta Aur Geeta”, “Sholay” and “Dream Girl”. Post marriage, the couple was seen in movies like “Alibaba aur 40 Chor”, “Baghavat”, “Samraat” and “Razia Sultan”.

He is averse to the idea of a biopic on his life, but turns to Urdu poetry to reflect on his journey and life.